Anuta is a small high island in the southeastern part of the Solomon Islands province of Temotu the smallest permanently inhabited isolated Polynesian island.1 Contents 1 Description 2 History 3 Society and culture 3.1 Relationship with environment 3.2 Choral singing 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References Description

The island lies about 311 miles (501 km) to the east-southeast of Nend at 113639S 169511E / 11.61083S 169.85028E / -11.61083; 169.85028Coordinates: 113639S 169511E / 11.61083S 169.85028E / -11.61083; 169.85028. It is a small volcanic island with a fringing coral reef. The highest point on the island is 213 feet (65 m) above sea level. The island has a diameter of only about a half mile--820 yards (750 m). History

In January 2003 the island was hit by a Tsunami2 Society and culture

The island's population is about 300. There are two villages (noporanga which means "dwelling place" with a traditional chief each): Mua ("Front" the eastern and main village) and Muri ("Back" western).3 In spite of the fact that Anuta islanders largely live off of fishing and agriculture the island has one of the highest population densities in the world equalling that of Bangladesh.4

Historically some of its inhabitants have used the small island of Fatutaka about 37 miles (60 km) to the southeast as a gardening location. Like nearby Tikopia (83 miles southwest) and unlike the majority of the population of the Solomon Islands who are Melanesians the islanders of Anuta are Polynesians and their language Anuta is a member of the Samoic branch of the Polynesian languages. A 200-word word-list is available at the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database.5 The islanders were joined by adventurer Bruce Parry in the TV series Tribe who made a voyage from the UK over Singapore Brisbane Honiara and Lata (Santa Cruz) after which he boarded a yacht to Anuta. Relationship with environment

Anuta's high population density has endured without destruction to the island's ecosystem. An important concept in the Anutan society is "Aropa" an attitude of mutual giving and sharing which translates most closely to "compassion." Aropa distributes the island's resources equally among its inhabitants. 6 As a result it has attracted interest from scientists interested in the human relationship with the environment. In his book Guns Germs and Steel Jared Diamond sets Anuta at one end of the environmental variable controlling cultural development in this case area.7 The BBC documentary series South Pacific devotes part of an episode to the ability of Anutans to maintain their island's bounty contrasting it with the environmental destruction wrought by the Easter Islanders. Choral singing

As in most of Polynesian islands Anuta also has traditions of choral polyphonic singing. Community participation in choral singing is so intense that for example when a member of society dies the population divides itself into 'small choirs of about twenty members each and they all sing at the deceaseds house one after another 8 See also Pacific Islands Pacific Ocean Polynesian outlier Notes Jared Diamond Guns Germs and Steel (Norton) 1997 p. 59. "Devastated islands languish as cyclone relief stuck in port". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/01/1041196688272.html.  http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Anuta-Settlements.html "Anuta - An Island Governed By Love". BBC Radio 4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00k8lfz. Retrieved 2009-10-14.  Biggs Bruce; Clark Ross. "Anuta". Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database. Simon Greenhill Robert Blust & Russell Gray. http://language.psy.auckland.ac.nz/austronesian/language.phpid253. Retrieved 2008-08-08.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/tribe/tribes/anuta/index.shtml  Jared Diamond Guns Germs and Steel (Norton) 1997 p. 59. Besnier Niko; Love J.W. Lieber Michael D.; Moir Barbara D. Donner William; Rossen Jane Mink; Firth Raymond; Feinberg Richard; Thomas Alan (1998). Kaeppler Adrienne L.; Love J. W.. ed. Polynesian Outliers. 9 Australia and Pacific Islands. New York: Garland Publishing. pp. 833864.  References Feinberg Richard. 1977. The Anutan Language Reconsidered: Lexicon and Grammar of a Polynesian Outlier. Two Volumes. HRAFlex Books. New Haven: Human Relations Area Files Press. Feinberg Richard. 1988. Polynesian Seafaring and Navigation: Ocean Travel in Anutan Culture and Society. Kent Ohio: Kent State University Press. Feinberg Richard. 1986. "The 'Anuta Problem': Local Sovereignty and National Integration in the Solomon Islands." Man 21(3):438452. Feinberg Richard. 1998 Oral Traditions of Anuta: A Polynesian Outlier in the Solomon Islands. Oxford Studies in Anthropological Linguistics Volume 15. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press. Feinberg Richard. 2004. Anuta: Polynesian Lifeways for the 21st Century. Prospect Heights IL: Waveland Press. "Harmony thrives in Pacific isolation". From Our Own Correspondent (BBC). 2008-07-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/fromourowncorrespondent/7525252.stm. Retrieved 2008-08-08.  "Anuta". Tribe. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/tribe/tribes/anuta/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-08.  Firth Raymond. 1954. Anuta and Tikopia: symbiotic elements in social organization. Journal of Polynesian Society 63:87 131. Yen D. E. and Janet Gordon eds. 1973. Anuta: A Polynesian Outlier in the Solomon Islands. Pacific Anthropological Records Number 21. Honolulu: Bernice P. Bishop Museum Press. v d e Islands of the Solomon Islands by province Central Aeaun  Gavutu  Mbanika  Nggela Islands  Pavuvu  Russell Islands  Savo  Tanambogo  Tulagi Choiseul Choiseul  Cyprian Bridge Island  Nuatambu  Rob Roy  Taro  Vaghena Guadalcanal Guadalcanal  Korasahalu  Marau Sound  Nughu  Tavanipupu  Vulelua Isabel Arnarvon  Kerehikapa  Maleivona  Ramos  San Jorge  Santa Isabel  Sikopo Makira-Ulawa Ali'ite  Makira  Malaulalo  Malaupaina  Pio  Santa Ana  Santa Catalina  Ugi  Ulawa Malaita Adagege  Alite  Anuta Paina  Funaafou  Langa Langa Lagoon  Lau Lagoon  Laulasi  Maana'omba  Malaita  Maramasike  Mbasakana  Ndai  Ontong Java  Roncador Reef  Sikaiana  Sulufou Rennell and Bellona Bellona  Indispensable Reefs  Rennell Temotu Anuta  Banie  Duff Islands  Fatutaka  Fenualoa  Lomlom  Makalom  Malo  Matema  Nend  Nifiloli  Nukapu  Nupani  Patteson Shoal  Pigeon  Pileni  Reef Islands  Santa Cruz Islands  Taumako  Teanu  Tikopia  Tinakula  Utupua  Vanikoro Western Arundel  Faisi  Fauro  Ghizo  Ghoi  Kavachi  Kennedy  Kiambe  Kingguru  Kohinggo  Kolombangara  Liapari  Logha  Lola  Lumbari  Marovo  Matikuri  Mbava  Mborokua  Mbulo  Mondomondo  Mono  Nakaza  New Georgia  New Georgia Islands  Nggatokae  Nusatupe  Ranongga  Rendova  Shortland  Shortland Islands  Simbo  Stirling  Telina  Tetepare  Treasury Islands  Vella Lavella  Uepi  Vangunu  Vonavona v d ePolynesia Polynesian triangle Austral Islands  Cook Islands  Easter Island  Gambier Islands  Hawaiian Islands  Marquesas  New Zealand  Pitcairn Islands  Sala y Gmez  Samoan Islands  Society Islands  Tokelau  Tonga  Tuamotus  Tuvalu  Wallis and Futuna Islands Polynesian outliers Anuta  Emae  Futuna  Kapingamarangi  Loyalty Islands  Mele  Nuguria  Nukumanu  Nukuoro  Ontong Java  Ouva  Pileni  Rennell  Sikaiana  Takuu  Tikopia Polynesian-influenced Lau Islands  Rotuma This Solomon Islands location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v d e